Featured image and gallery: Gracie Hall
The night starts with Liverpool-based Casino who rock the stage with a Beatles-esque swagger and upbeat songs, featuring the vocals of Dillon Kelly whose vintage sounding voice wouldn’t be out of place in a 1960’s soul band.
Second support Ellur, a Halifax native, swirls onto stage and proceeds to deliver an energetic and passionate performance. Ellur is the stage name of Ella McNamara, which Ella pronounces in her distinctive, native Yorkshire accent while sporting bright red wellies, a tweed suit jacket and a black tulle dress. Her setlist feature ‘Boys’, Ellur explains, is about being a teenage girl, despite being 23 herself.
Hailing all the way from Edinburgh, Brooke Combe finally takes to the stage at New Century Hall. This show marks one of her previously rescheduled dates, after originally having to drop out due to illness last year. Sporting a chic ensemble that exudes confidence, she wastes no time in captivating everyone with her magnetism.
With a contagious smile, Combe kicks off the set with ‘A-Team’, which chronicles being in a casual relationship but wondering whether you want more. Backed by a talented band whose chemistry is palpable, Combe navigates through a diverse setlist that spans genres and emotions.
‘Black is The New Gold’ highlights Combe’s lyrical skills, emphasising how we shouldn’t overlook artists due to their appearance. Another highlight of the evening comes during a soulful rendition of ‘Redbone’, a Childish Gambino cover; Combe’s velvety voice suits the song perfectly and delights the crowd who sing along with her.
Throughout the night, her stage presence remains captivating, effortlessly engaging with her audience and forging a genuine connection with each person in attendance. Brooke Combe is proving herself to be a true star on the rise.
Featured image and gallery: Hoang Phan Notebooks were carried from one workshop to another. Writers from different generations sat around tables, sharing manuscripts and listening to each other. Outdoors, small groups strolled along Oxford Road, pausing before buildings steeped in literary history. This was the scene during the Manchester Writing School Summer Festival 2026, held…
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Featured image: Abbi Draper After a memorable Thursday opener, Bloodstock 2026 opens its gates once again onto the Hallowed Grounds of Catton Park, kicking off day two of its 25th-anniversary celebration of metal. As the sun rises on Catton Park, festivalgoers emerge from their tents to prepare for another day of mayhem. The morning brings…
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